Chapter 12

Clary continued reading the article in the paper. She looked at the photo of the man of what he looked like before. He seemed familiar but Clary couldn't place where she had seen him before. She continued to read sipping her juice.

Police believe the man was murdered was dumped in the river. The murder site has not been located. Investigation continues. Police Chief of NYCPD says, "This is the second cases we've had to deal in the last several months. A woman was in a severe car accident earlier this summer though she survived it seems as though they make be linked." Investigators have found evidence that both cases, maybe the work of a serial killer.

Clary gasped as Luke walked in the kitchen. Grabbing a cup of coffee. He looked over her shoulder.

"It's shame." Luke murmured while sipping his coffee.

"Did you know him?"

"Not exactly. I knew him well enough. He always came down to the store and bought textbooks." That's where Clary had seen him though she never officially met him.

"Was he a teacher?" Clary glanced up at Luke curiously.

"No, a tutor." Luke said. "And a dear friend to the Lightwood's."

Clary looked back at the paper. She finished her juice then looked at the clock. "Oh crap I'm late." She turned kissed Luke on the cheek then headed for the door grabbing her bag.

"Clary!" a voice said. Clary turned to see Simon pull up in his beat up Suburban. She smiled.

"Hey Simon." She waved.

"You want a ride?"

"Sure." She said climbing in the passenger side. "Thanks."

"Beats walking."

"Yea" Clary grinned.

Simon drove off towards school. They sat in silence. When they arrived at school Clary looked for Jace in the courtyard, but didn't see him. She waited until the first bell rang. He didn't show up. She checked her phone to see if he texted her. The only message she found was from Luke he rarely ever texted. It was strange to see a text from him.

Luke:

Clary your brothers will pick you up today at school. I won't be at home. I have to do inventory at the warehouse. So you will stay with your brothers at their place.

Oh great. Clary thought. She hated being in her brothers' apartment. It smelled of old gym socks and coffee. Her brothers' never had anything but beer to drink in the fridge. Clary was amazed that they weren't drunk all the time. To top things off she usually had to sleep on the couch bed in the living room.

Clary:

Do I have too?

Luke:

Yes you have too.

Clary grunted in disgust. She put her phone back in her bag then walked to class. Finally reaching her homeroom class she hoped maybe Jace might have went to there instead. She looked around the room for him but his desk was empty. Maybe his running late she thought scratching her head.

As the day went on Clary noticed Jace wasn't in English either. Matter of fact Simon had mention Isabelle wasn't in Geometry either. Even Alec was nowhere to be seen either. Simon and Clary figured that none of the Lightwoods were in school. Then it dawn at on her. It had to Hodge Starkweather. Luke had said he was a very dear friend to the Lightwoods.

Though Simon was kind of happy that Isabelle wasn't at school because then he could spend some time with Clary.

"So what's with you and Isabelle?" Clary asked licking the yogurt off her spoon.

"Nothing, I'm just tutoring her in math." He answered back.

"She seems to really like you."

Simon rolled his eyes shaking his head.

"What?"

"She has crush on me."

"And that's a bad thing."

"I don't know. I mean she's cute but…." Simon trailed off.

"But?"

"Nothing, Clary."

"Simon." She as the bell rang for their lunch period to be over.

When the last bell rang of the day Clary walked towards the front of the school. Jonathan was waiting for her leaning against the sedan he shared with Sebastian. He smiled at her as she approached. Some girls standing by a tree were gigging. Clary watched them wondering what they were giggling about then realized they were looking at her brother. Jonathan opened the door for Clary. He winked at the girls. They all blushed. Clary rolled her eyes as Jonathan made his way to the other side.

On the way up the stairs to her brother's apartment, Jonathan had stopped. He started walking a little slow towards the door motioning her to stay behind him. Clary noticed something silver catch the light in his hand. It was his knife he carried on his belt. She walked behind him noticing the door was slightly ajar. They entered the apartment slowly Jonathan looking cautiously.

A pair of legs laid on the floor. As they moved closer to examine them, it was Sebastian. Jonathan kneeled down touching his throat with two fingers.

"Is he…?" Clary's voice trailed off holding back tears.

"No, just knocked out." Jonathan replied.

Then Clary screamed. Jonathan jumped to find a man standing the hallway.

"Ragnor" Jonathan said through his teeth.

"Hello Jonathan."

"What are you doing here?"

The strange man laughed wickedly. He was dressed in a dark red shirt with no tie, a black blazer and pants. His hair was neatly part to one side. His eyes were dark blue green like algae growing inside of a fish tank. He had pale white skin that made look like ghost. He must not get much sun Clary thought. He stared at Jonathan tensely. Then with one quick movement he disarmed Jonathan and held him against the wall by his throat.

Jonathan grasped the man's arm gasping for air. "Stop let him go!" Clary said finding her voice at last.

The man laughed. "Why should I little girl?"

Jonathan shaking his head at Clary, "He's my brother."

Ragnor turned his head suddenly in Clary's direction, his eyes wide. "Impossible. Valentine Morgenstern didn't have daughter." He turned his attention back towards Jonathan tightening his grip. "Is this true she is your little sister?"

"You. Leave. My. Sister. Alone." Jonathan said in between breaths.

"Well, well." Ragnor said with a wicked smile then tossed Jonathan to the floor before stabbing him in the thigh with his own knife. Jonathan cried hoarsely in pain. Ragnor grabbed Clary by the nap of her neck revealing the chain she wore. He grasped the chain. Hanging from the chain was a white crystal. Ragnor smiled chuckling. Then he noticed the leather straps hanging out of Clary's bag. He reached to grab what was inside and with a wicked smile he turned to Clary.

"Well, perhaps you maybe useful after all." He said pushing her by her neck. Jonathan watched as Ragnor took his sister away. He tried to cry out but the air escaped him. He coughs hoarsely catching his breath.

Luke was counting boxes of mysteries when Jordan came out telling him he had a phone call. Luke then handed the clipboard to Jordan then walked towards the office.

"Hello" he answered. "Sebastian. Did you get Clary?"

He waited for a reply. "Gone!?...What do you mean gone?...Who took her?...Shit!" Luke rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No, call my sister. Don't try and go after her….

Sebastian…..I said no….Look I don't care….Let me talk to some old friends first….Yes the lightwoods…I know their morning right now."

Jordan walked in the office placing the clipboard down on the desk. He looked at Luke.

"Is everything okay?" He asked.

Luke put up his hand. "Sebastian, take care of your brother I will consult with the order." He said back into the phone. "Do what I said I don't want to discuss this…Sebastian will find Clary…Okay bye." Luke hung up then sat in chair behind the desk placing his head in his hands.

"Luke?" Jordan said looking at him in concern. "What happened?"

"Ragnor Fell took Clary." Luke murmured.

Jordan shook his head. He was familiar with Ragnor. For he knew if Ragnor was involved nothing good would become of this. His heart sank.